Ch10

It was already night fall and taking into account that Temari and Gaara expended extra energy to transport the non-ninja, the team decided it best to stop for the night. Seeing that his two siblings already retired inside their own tents, Kankuro claimed the last vacant one, leaving Shikamaru and future sister-in-law sitting by the campfire. He didn't have to worry about leaving the two newly acquainted alone since they seemed to be getting along fine.

The shadows of the flames danced for Shoumei who in return shared her excitement by channeling her feelings to a very curious Shikamaru. No wonder Ino was stunned. Her power did not exactly control the mind, yet the feelings being poured in brought along a strong sense of persuasion. It was riveting as it was fearful. It was a good thing that Shoumei didn't seem to be the type to abuse her power because had she, she'd make a great villain.

"This isn't mind manipulation," Shikamaru stated as a half question.

"It isn't an illusion either," Shoumei confirmed.

"Then how?"

"I basically share what I'm feeling and search for that same feeling inside you and amplify it."

Shikamaru rose an eyebrow, disbelieving such a skill. "So manipulation?"

Shoumei shook her head.

"How is it not? You are choosing what feelings you want us to experience. Say, if I was depressed and you make me feel happy, you're warping my senses to think I'm actually happy so that I can feel happy when in reality I wouldn't be had you not exerted the effort."

"I wouldn't amplify what you wouldn't want to feel," Shoumei easily defended.

"But if someone else had your power, they can technically manipulate my feelings?"

The Nara knew he guessed right when a rush of anxiety and anger followed by a surreal calmness brushed across his busy mind. He didn't quite appreciate it when she added in a slip of impatience to tease him.

"If you're asking for a way to counter it, all you have to do is avoid contact," Shoumei added and Shikamaru quickly removed his arm from her touch.

Their serious faces dropped when Shoumei leaked a mischievous grin. The shadow user couldn't help returning one of his own.

"Hey, I've been meaning to ask, why the sudden political marriage?" Shikamaru knew his question didn't go unheard. Shoumei too noticed the sudden eerie silence and deduced that the Sand siblings were listening too.

There was no point to hide anything. Logically speaking, if they didn't have the heart to help after finding out, it wouldn't matter when she actually told them.

"The elders in our clan finally thought it best to seek help."

A few hundred ideas were already circulating inside the Leaf jōnin's head, but as much as he liked guessing, he'd much rather have the girl explain so that he didn't have to relay anything to his very much awake girlfriend listening from a few feet away.

"The direct Iyasu lineage are the main targets. We each carry something a little extra than the average Iyasu," Shoumei admitted.

Shikamaru took hint that any further plying would get him nowhere. Besides, as a rule of friendly relations, it wouldn't be right for her to share with a Leaf ninja before her own betrothed. But since he was at it, he was determined to get at least one more answer.

"By any chance, had your people considered forming an alliance with the Leaf?"

The question took Shoumei by surprise so she remained still as she analyzed the purpose of his question. He was a professional interrogator—his face didn't give her any hints on how she should answer. There was also an uncomfortable shift coming from behind in which Shikamaru silently thanked wasn't from Temari's tent.

And then came Shoumei's signature sigh which didn't do much but strangely put one of the hidden listeners at ease. After a few more seconds of silence, she finally spoke.

"Are you talking about my cousin?"

"There was a brief mention of a requested meeting with the Hokage."

"Yes," was all Shoumei added. She didn't want to threaten their relations with the Sand by speaking out of turn. "How did that go?"

"Considering the wedding with Hinata, Naruto didn't even give it a second thought."

"Did she ask about me?"

"She never turned up."

"I see," Shoumei answered before plunging into deep thought. It was strange to not hear anything from her. Did something happen?

"Well, I'm exhausted." Shikamaru got up and treaded towards his girlfriend's tent before feeling a little tug on his shirt. "Sorry, not sharing Temari tonight. Gaara's tent is that way." The Nara lifted a finger in the opposite direction before ending with a "Good night."

It took some time before Shoumei gathered the courage to head to bed. "Kazekage-sama?" Shoumei shook the tent a little. "Are you still awake?"

Yes Iyasu girl, I am. But whatever you want to talk about, save it for tomorrow.

There was no sound so she figured he might have fallen asleep. But it was cold and justifying it best to stay healthy on the journey, she took the liberty to enter.

She actually came in.

Gaara naturally turned over and pretended to sleep. He kept his eyes closed throughout all her shuffling and accidental bumps. Howsoever she convinced herself that he didn't feel it, he didn't quite know. But it was quite entertaining to watch her attempt to freeze each time she did before slowly continuing with whatever she was fussing with.

And after long bouts of clumsy movement, she finally settled and plopped right next to the still very much awake Kazekage.

Finally she lays still and somehow…I still can't sleep.

But what he didn't expect was a sudden cold touch grazing his forehead. He almost flinched had he not caught himself.

"If this does bother you, I can take it away," she whispered.

Is she referring to the incident from this morning?

Gaara stiffened, but didn't abandon his pretense.

"But somehow I feel you wouldn't want that," she sighed out.

And to her bewilderment, the Kazekage's emerald eyes flashed open. His hand covered her mouth, muffling a gasp. When she settled, Shoumei gave a small nod and he let her go.

If he was awake the whole time, then he must've…

Shoumei drooped in defeat. Could she embarrass herself anymore?

"And what makes you think that?" the young lord asked, breaking the silence.

His fiancé blinked. Gaara scanned her expression, trying to decipher her feelings while coming to terms with his own.

"We all have our insecurities, but the very fact that you bear it with such confidence…just makes me think you know yourself much more than a lot of people can ever understand about themselves in a lifetime."

Perhaps it was the intimate positioning, lying so close to a stranger and feeling her body warmth. Or maybe it was her sweet voice whispering through the howling wind in the dark. Or maybe it was everything combined. But there was something meaningful in this moment.

How could she be so confident about that when she just met him for a few days? No one he met has ever approached him which such candidness.

"When it was decided that I was to go to the Sand Village to meet the Kazekage, the elders wanted me to prep," the sweet voice filled the tent again. "They wanted me to study up on your history and learn more about you so that you wouldn't dislike me."

Gaara laid quietly in the calmness of the night and the comfort of the dark, simply listening.

"But I was selfish. I asked them not to tell me anything. I wanted to learn about you myself. When I met you, I wanted no prior judgements. I wanted to get to know you as a person rather than someone portrayed in the words of others." Shoumei smiled at the thought. "And I probably just have the courage to say this now, but I'm glad that I chose that route. Though I hate that I'm very unaccustomed to your world and know basically nothing about you, I'm very grateful that I have the chance to get to know you like this."

He too, knew nothing about her. His reasons for not knowing, however, was far different from hers.

Blatantly put, Gaara just wasn't ever interested enough. In fact, he was planning to null the marriage if the chance ever came up. Getting to know the other party? That didn't even cross his mind. Not once.

And somehow, that kind of struck a sense of guilt. Everything he did up until now, how much thought has he put into this compared to her?

Gaara couldn't answer. Here he was pitying himself for being forced into this, occasionally sparing that pity to Shoumei. But in that instant, he knew he was wrong.

She was trying this whole time to make things work, but he -

His train of thoughts broke off when a warm touch landed on the side of his arm. Not only was the noise in his head fading, there was this extra energy that was patching up the tiny cracks in his heart.

…

Upon reaching Konoha, the travelers were welcomed by familiar faces.

"So Shikamaru and the Sand sibs finally arrive!" Kiba's loud voice boomed within the gates.

"Kiba! Akamaru!" Shoumei's tired eyes lit up. She ran ahead of her companions and gave the Leaf ninja a hug and then subsequently one to Akamaru who was equally pleased to see her.

Kiba walked to the right side of Shoumei. His partner, Akamaru, took to the left as they all made their way to the Hokage Tower.

All along, she looked thrilled to see Kiba and her hand never left Akamaru. Gaara noticed. She never smiled like that in front of him. Why is she so friendly with Kiba? Or is she just friendly with the Leaf? Either way, it didn't sit too well with him.

"Kazekage-sama!" a happy voice called out. Gaara looked up to see Shoumei skipping back next to him.

"You don't want to talk to Kiba anymore?"

Shoumei shook her head. "We're almost to the Tower. When we see Naruto and tell him the news, I just want to be by your side." A shy smile sat on her face. "Is that okay with you, Kazekage-sama?"

He nodded. In fact, that would be best. "Yes. It would put up a good show."

A good show.

"Right," Shoumei agreed. But kept her eyes lowered for the rest of the walk.

…

"WHAT?!" Naruto exclaimed when he processed that his Sand brother was engaged. "Congratulations! I was worried that I'd have grandchildren before I could see you with someone! And now YOU are getting married! Now we can be married together!"

"That sounds weird Naruto," Shikamaru said, scratching the back of his head.

"You must definitely invite me to your wedding!" Naruto shouted with excitement. He was definitely very enthusiastic, more so than for his own wedding one could say.

"That's why I'm here. To personally inform and invite you. It should take place within the next two months," Gaara said calmly to the completely fired up blonde.

"And I have to find a wedding gift! What do you want?"

"Just your attendance is enough," the Sand head replied humbly. "I hope you can make it."

"I will definitely be there! And so will Hinata!"

Hinata…

Faint footsteps were in the background for a while, but they grew louder as they approached. And as Gaara expected, the door to the office popped open in mere seconds.

As apparent as his heart raced, a heavy feeling clamped down in his chest.

"You're getting married?" a soft gentle voice asked.

Gaara was wide-eyed.

"Congratulations. I'm so happy for you."

Like he remembered, she was sweet. But somehow, her sweetness bit at him.

"Thank you…Hinata."

Shoumei looked from a smiling Hinata to her quiet fiancé. She understood right away.

The show was for… her.

Last updated: 7/21/17; Published: 1/02/18

A/N: Hey everyone! So glad you're still here to support Gaara and Shoumei ^^